NIT-C students develop autonomous drone for disaster-relief operations

A group of students from National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NIT-C) has developed an autonomous quadcopter that can be used in search and rescue missions.

The 15-member team, founded in August, set out to design a compact weather system that could assist rescue teams in floods, landslides and other climate-related emergencies. The project received the necessary technical and financial support from Kokos.AI, where the research and development team worked closely with the students to ensure technological precision and flawless implementation. The group, known as Team Paravai, unveiled the drone at the recently held SAE Aerothon 2025 in Chennai.

Weighing 2 kg, the drone uses a frame made of 3D printed PA12 and carbon fiber composite, ensuring both durability and weight reduction. The quadcopter includes a variety of features tailored to real-world rescue scenarios. The aircraft supports communication within a range of 1 kilometer with the feature of transmitting live video to ground crews. A LIDAR-based collision avoidance system helps navigate complex terrain, while onboard sensors enable detection of human presence from up to 15 meters away. The drone can also deliver aid packages weighing up to 200 grams with high drop accuracy. The statement stated that the fully autonomous control system reduces the need for constant operator intervention during hazardous operations.

NIT Calicut officials described the project as an important step towards improving technology-driven disaster management. Team Paravai now plans to increase the durability of the drone and incorporate advanced payload features.